Kwatra returned a poor four over 76 in the final round but his identical par 72 in the previous two rounds after a first day's card of 74 enabled him to come within one stroke of his previous best of 293 achieved in 1996.

He finished with South African junior champion Schuttie Vincent, according to information received here today. Japan's Kiroi Taro pipped three others to clinch the title with an aggregate of 284. The girls' title went to Dorothy Delasin of California. Australia and Japan tied for the team championship in which India was not represented.

Kwatra played some fine shots to make 13 greens in regulation but succumbed to the subtle ocean breaks of Torrey Pines Greens, which had troubled players on all days.

His sunk three birdies but they were negated by seven bogeys,though he did not dish out any double bogey.